naruto-story Chapter 328 - 195: Sword Cuts Down Beitang! (Part 2)
Chapter 328 - 195: Sword Cuts Down Beitang! (Part 2)
It turned out that compared to Iron Blood Hall, the fortress of Blazing Hall seemed somewhat desolate.
"In several conflicts, Blazing Hall has actually suffered heavy losses... Tie Lingyun said they have exhausted the foundation accumulated over decades to fight Iron Blood Hall desperately.
"Without it, they wouldn’t have lasted until now.
"But looking at the current situation of Blazing Hall, even if they persist fiercely, I’m afraid they won’t last much longer."
Chu Qing suddenly understood Beitang Zun’s intention to lead Blazing Hall in surrender.
After this battle, Blazing Hall will inevitably be gravely injured, and may not be able to maintain their position among the two gangs, three halls, five gates, and one manor.
It would be replaced by other factions, becoming the new ’Three Halls.’
At this time, if they don’t find a way out, Blazing Hall is indeed in danger.
With a traitor like Beitang Zun, Chu Qing was almost thoroughly aware of the situation inside Blazing Hall’s fortress.
He flickered and flew down from the wall, waiting until he hid himself, just as a patrol team from Blazing Hall passed by.
After these people left, Chu Qing sprang up again.
He anticipated the enemy’s moves, fully mastering the rhythm of Blazing Hall.
Thus, although defenses were tight, Chu Qing’s figure was completely elusive.
In just a moment, he had arrived at the core mansion of Blazing Hall.
According to Beitang Zun, there were only three places where Beitang Lie might appear.
One was the main hall, another the study, and the last was his bedroom.
Chu Qing planned to search them one by one.
First was the main hall...
He descended onto the main hall, dressed in black, with a white mask, completely blending into the darkness.
Silently lifting a tile, he glanced inside.
The main hall was empty... In the barren hall, only a chair with a high back stood.
It was like a fire of Liaoyuan rising to the sky, burning fiercely, illuminating half the sky.
Without seeing Beitang Lie’s figure, Chu Qing twirled his body and disappeared.
However, just as he left, a slight disturbance emerged in the silent main hall.
After a little while, someone spoke:
"How come it feels like someone was here just now?"
"Did you get confused while sleeping? How could anyone be here? Even if there were, they couldn’t escape our notice."
"That’s true."
"Sleep, sleep, move a little over there."
"I won’t!"
"Do you believe I’ll kick you?"
The two voices rose alternately, beginning to argue.
Yet, Chu Qing had already left... This time, he arrived at the study, and by luck, he immediately saw Beitang Lie focused behind the desk.
Compared to Beitang Zun, Beitang Lie looked particularly old.
On his face, the slight resemblance to Beitang Zun was faintly visible, but the wrinkles made his face appear more sinister and fierce.
He wasn’t writing anything, but was leaning against the chairback, silently gazing at a map on the desk.
Chu Qing couldn’t discern the details on the map, but he felt that when Beitang Zun looked at it, his expression was extremely grave.
Outside the study, footsteps sounded, quickly followed by a voice.
"Hong Tao requests to see the Hall Master."
Chu Qing found this name familiar, thought a bit, and recalled.
This person was the Law Enforcement Elder of Blazing Hall, holding a high position.
Skilled in the Staff Technique, he rose to fame with a wooden staff and an exceptional Boundless Staff Technique.
Beitang Lie spoke softly:
"Come in."
With a creak, the study door opened, and a slightly thin middle-aged man walked in.
His staff wasn’t in his hand, but at his waist.
The staff was divided into three sections, hanging at his waist.
He cupped his fists and spoke:
"Hall Master."
"Have you found him?"
Beitang Lie asked coldly.
"Not yet..."
Hong Tao’s brow was full of seriousness:
"Every place that could be searched has been, yet there’s no trace of the Vice Hall Master.
"Hall Master, what exactly happened to the Vice Hall Master?"
"He failed in assassinating Cheng Tieshan this trip, and upon returning, wanted to die to apologize... I stopped him, intending to detain him, but he secretly escaped."
Beitang Lie sighed:
"We’ve weathered storms for decades, how could I take his life over a mere Cheng Tieshan?
"Such disregard for his own life... It’s truly outrageous."
As he finished speaking, he slapped the table.
The fire strength of the Nine Fiery Burn Divine Skill caused the table to emit the smell of burning wood.
Once Beitang Lie removed his palm, the table now bore a handprint, emitting green smoke, full of scorch marks.
Hong Tao sighed:
"The Vice Hall Master has always valued the hall rules highly, this time it’s unsurprising he might be troubled...
"But he led so many disciples to hunt Cheng Tieshan, logically speaking, even if he couldn’t kill Cheng Tieshan, it’s unlikely only the Vice Hall Master would return alone.
"Did something happen amidst all this?"
Beitang Lie didn’t speak, only exhaled lightly, his face full of weariness:
"Regardless, find him... bring him back.
"Even if he’s truly dead, his body must be found."
"Understood."
Hong Tao cupped his fists again:
"Your subordinate will continue searching, Hall Master, please don’t worry too much."
"Go."
Beitang Lie gently waved his hand.
Hong Tao took his leave.
Yet as the study door closed once more, Beitang Lie’s warmth on his face instantly turned cold.
He gazed toward the direction of Iron Blood Hall, his brow furrowed:
"With such injuries, he shouldn’t cross Ghost God Gorge to reach Iron Blood Hall, right?
"If it were you, knowing your brother joined Celestial Evil Cult... Would you seek out Tie Lingyun?"
With this thought, Beitang Lie’s color changed dramatically.
The surroundings unknowingly transformed into black and white.
Desk, lamps, door, curtains...
Everything was rendered in black and white.
Additionally, a speck of dust in mid-air suddenly stopped.
As if drawn by some force, it moved as it wished.
In an instant, Beitang Lie’s heart thundered like a drum.
Decades of martial world fighting experience drove him to exert Nine Fiery Burn Divine Skill to the fullest in this brief time.
Followed closely by raising his hands high, as if setting the sky ablaze!
Buzz!!!
Above him, a sharp light descended from the sky.
The sword’s edge sunk between his hands, with flames blazing between his palms, the blade of Cyan Night Sword turned red at a visible speed.
Like a burning iron plate!
Chu Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly, he thought he could kill with one stroke with Heaven and Earth Lose Color.
But unexpectedly, Beitang Lie’s martial arts were far superior to Beitang Zun’s.
Not only at the instant of the incident did he gamble everything to operate Nine Fiery Burn Divine Skill, breaking the constraints of Heaven and Earth Lose Color.
But also instantly employing Secret Technique to fend off his sword’s edge.
This was a reaction formed from martial arts and experience both reaching their peak.
"Just as expected of the Hall Master of Blazing Hall!"
Chu Qing couldn’t help but admire in his heart, yet his Sword Intent sharpened even more.
Divine Jade Nine Chapters Inner Breath circulated, and the Fire Strength clinging to the sword’s surface dispersed in all directions.
The sword’s edge lowered instantly!
Bang!
The sharpness pierced Beitang Lie’s brow, directly exiting his brainstem.
Beitang Lie’s figure stood motionless, the ominous gleam in his eyes faded in an instant.
Chu Qing smoothly landed, sheathed his sword.
He watched as the Fire Strength scattered by him clung to the window, curtains, and other places, burning fiercely.
Outside, the cries of Blazing Hall disciples could be heard.
He sighed involuntarily, casually took up the map on the table and tucked it into his chest.
He also severed Beitang Lie’s head, pushed open the door, and took a step out.
Black and white colors shrouded the world, within range, all Blazing Hall disciples were frozen, unable to move.
Though not completely motionless, their eyeballs still turned.
Hence, they witnessed the figure in black, wearing a white mask, carrying their Hall Master’s head walking slowly past them.
His steps leisurely as if strolling through a garden.
Everyone saw, yet not one could stop him.
Helplessly watching that person... walking further and further until disappearing.